JP2006346936A - Inkjet recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inkjet recorder capable of enhancing printing quality at a peripheral portion of a bar of a barcode. <P>SOLUTION: When the ambient temperature is higher than 25°C, three ink droplets are ejected from a nozzle 31 per print data of one dot to print one dot. When the ambient temperature is not higher than 25°C, three ink droplets of which the volume is smaller than that of the three ink droplets at the temperature higher than 25°C, are ejected. After the first ink droplet Q1 is ejected, a cancel pulse is not applied, and then the second ink droplet Q2 is ejected immediately so that the second ink droplet is united with the first ink droplet Q1 to form a new ink droplet Q12 before the first ink droplet Q1 arrives at print paper P. As the ink droplet Q12 has the total volume of ink droplets Q1, Q2, the flying speed is not degraded, and then the deviation of the arrival position can be reduced. As a result, extension of a peripheral portion of a bar in a sub-scanning direction can be reduced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording by ejecting ink from a nozzle to a printing medium by driving an actuator.

  Conventionally, as this kind of ink jet recording apparatus, one capable of printing a barcode is known, and by printing dots forming the periphery of a black bar constituting the barcode with dots smaller than dots other than the periphery. In order to reduce ink bleeding on the white bar adjacent to the black bar, there has been proposed.

JP 2003-237059 A JP 2002-292848 A JP 2000-103042 A JP 2003-285453 A

However, all of the devices described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 eject one drop of ink from a nozzle to print one dot on a printing medium. When printing the periphery of a black bar, Ink droplets with a smaller volume are used than when printing other than that, but since the size of one dot depends on one ink droplet, variations in the volume of ink droplets cause the shape, size and density of the dots This greatly affects the print quality at the periphery of the bar. Moreover, there is a possibility that the print density at the bar periphery will be insufficient due to the insufficient volume of the ink droplets.
In addition, the image described in Patent Document 4 prints one dot with one ink drop at the periphery of the image, and prints one dot with two or three ink droplets other than the periphery. The print density may be insufficient.
That is, in any of the patent documents 1 to 4, there is a risk that the print quality of the bar periphery will deteriorate.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to realize an ink jet recording apparatus capable of improving the printing quality of the bar periphery of a barcode in order to solve the above problems.

  In order to solve the above problem, in the invention according to claim 1, an ink flow path, a nozzle communicating with the ink flow path, an actuator for supplying energy for discharging the ink in the ink flow path, An ink jet recording which outputs a drive signal for driving the actuator, and discharges ink in the ink flow path from the nozzle to the print medium by outputting the drive signal to the actuator. In the apparatus, when the environmental temperature in which the ink jet recording apparatus is placed is higher than a predetermined temperature, at least three ink droplets are sequentially ejected from the same nozzle in order to print one dot on the print medium, When each ink droplet is landed on the medium to be printed in the ejection order and the environmental temperature is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature, There a smaller volume than the total of the ink droplets ejected to the printing of one dot in higher than the predetermined temperature, and, using the technical means that ejects the same number of ink droplets to the printing medium.

Here, the “inkjet recording device” includes a type that can complete printing from start to finish without receiving print data from a host device such as a host computer, and a printer connected to a personal computer. , A device that receives print data from a host device and performs printing, and a type that combines a host device. For this reason, in the latter type, the portion that controls ink ejection may be provided in either the host device or the device that performs printing.
In general, when a single printing pulse is applied to an actuator, a plurality of satellite droplets may be ejected together with the main ink droplets, but these satellite droplets usually land on substantially the same location on the printing medium, In order to form one dot, the main ink droplet and the satellite droplet are combined and counted as one ink droplet.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first aspect, when the environmental temperature is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature, the first and second ink droplets are transferred to the nozzle and the printing target. A technical means is used in which the medium is combined in the air and then landed on the medium to be printed.
Here, “merging” means that at least a part of the ink droplets ejected earlier and the ink droplets ejected later are coalesced, and both ink droplets are flying in the air. In addition to the state that can be recognized as one ink drop, it is meant that it includes a state where it looks like two ink droplets although they share a part with each other.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the inkjet recording apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the drive signal for sequentially ejecting at least three ink droplets from the nozzles has the environmental temperature of the predetermined value. If the temperature is higher, the printing pulse for ejecting ink droplets from the nozzle and the cancel pulse for canceling the pressure fluctuation remaining in the ink flow path after ink droplet ejection are alternately provided, and the environment When the temperature is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature, the print pulse for discharging the first ink droplet from the nozzle and the print pulse for discharging the second ink droplet from the nozzle The technical means that no cancel pulse is provided is used.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the drive signal when the environmental temperature is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature is the first print pulse for discharging the first ink droplet from the nozzle, and the second ink. A second print pulse for ejecting a droplet from the nozzle, a first cancel pulse for canceling a pressure fluctuation remaining in the ink flow path after the second ink droplet ejection, and a third ink A third printing pulse for ejecting a droplet from the nozzle, and a second cancel pulse for canceling the pressure fluctuation remaining in the ink flow path after the third ink droplet ejection, The pause time provided between the second print pulse and the first cancel pulse is A, the pulse length of the first cancel pulse is B, the third print pulse and the second key are The pause time provided between the cancel pulses is C, the pulse length of the second cancel pulse is D, and the time required for the pressure wave generated in the ink flow path to propagate one way in the ink flow path Technical means that A, B, C and D are set to numerical ranges corresponding to ◎ or ○ in the following Table 1 and Table 2 in which T is a unit when T is T Use.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the total volume of the ink droplets ejected when the environmental temperature is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature is A technical means is used that is about 80% to 90% of the total volume of the ink droplets ejected when the environmental temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, in the ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, a technical means for printing a barcode on the printing medium is used.
The above-mentioned “barcode” is a two-dimensional code formed by arranging a barcode or black region and a white region in a matrix form by arranging a linear or belt-like black region at predetermined intervals across a white region. It means to include.

(Effect of the invention of claim 1)
When the environmental temperature where the ink jet recording apparatus is placed is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, the ink is smaller than the total volume of ink droplets ejected for printing one dot when the environmental temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature. Drops can be ejected onto a printing medium. In addition, since the number of ink droplets is the same as that when the environmental temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature, high-quality printing can be performed with a small amount of dot bleeding and a small change from the intended printing density.

(Effect of the invention described in claim 2)
When the viscosity of the ink increases with a decrease in the environmental temperature, the volume of the ink droplets decreases, the flying speed also slows down, and the deviation of the landing position increases accordingly, which may reduce the print quality.
However, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the flying speed of the second shot is higher than that of the first shot, and the first and second ink droplets are combined in the air between the nozzle and the printing medium. It will be landed on the medium to be printed later. For this reason, one ink droplet newly generated by the coalescence is faster in the air than the first ink droplet, so that the overall deviation of the landing position is reduced and the deterioration in print quality is also suppressed. It is done. At this time, since the volume of the ink droplet is increased, deceleration based on air resistance during flight is reduced.

(Effect of the invention according to claim 3)
Since there is no cancel pulse between the printing pulse for ejecting the first ink droplet from the nozzle and the printing pulse for ejecting the second ink droplet from the nozzle, the first ink droplet After the ink is ejected, the second ink droplet can be ejected immediately. As a result, before the first ink droplet lands on the print medium, the second ink droplet can be caught up with the first ink droplet and combined.
Further, it is possible to save power because the cancel pulse is not applied after the first ink droplet is ejected.

(Effect of invention of Claim 4)
According to an experiment conducted by the inventor of the present application, when a black cell of a two-dimensional code is printed by ejecting three ink droplets for one dot of print data, the black color printed as the environmental temperature decreases. It was found that the amount (growth) that the upper end of the cell bleeds in the sub-scanning direction (Y direction) increases.
Therefore, the inventor of the present application determines that the pause time A provided between the second print pulse and the first cancel pulse, the pulse length B of the first cancel pulse, and between the third print pulse and the second cancel pulse. As a result of an experiment conducted by changing the provided pause time C and the pulse length D of the second cancel pulse to various values, the pressure wave generated in the ink flow path propagates one way in the ink flow path. When the time required is T, and the values of A, B, and C are set in numerical ranges corresponding to ◎ or ○ in Tables 1 and 2 with T as a unit, the black cell sub-scanning direction ( The amount of bleeding (growth) in the Y direction) can be reduced, and high-quality printing can be performed.

(Effect of invention of Claim 5)
According to experiments conducted by the present inventor, the total volume of ink droplets ejected when the environmental temperature is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature is the total volume of ink droplets ejected when the environmental temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature. It was found that by setting the ratio to about 80% to 90%, it is possible to reduce the amount of bleeding of the printed black cells in the sub-scanning direction and to suppress the change from the intended print density.

(Effect of the invention described in claim 6)
Since the interval between the black area and the white area constituting the barcode has a great influence on the reading accuracy of the barcode reader, it is desirable that the amount of bleeding into the white area around the black area is small. In particular, when printing a barcode on a printing medium having a high ink absorption rate such as plain paper or an envelope, or when printing a small barcode, an even smaller amount of bleeding is required.
However, if the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5 of the present application is carried out, the amount of blurring around the black region of the barcode can be reduced, so that the above requirement can be met. .
Further, among the barcodes, the two-dimensional code is configured by arranging black cells in a matrix, so that in addition to the amount of black cells bleed in the main scanning direction (X direction), the sub scanning direction (Y direction) However, if the invention according to any one of Claims 1 to 5 of the present application is carried out, the amount of black cell bleeding in the sub-scanning direction can also be reduced.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Main configuration of inkjet recording apparatus]
First, the main configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an explanatory plan view showing the main configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus.
Two guide shafts 6 and 7 that face each other are provided inside the ink jet recording apparatus 1, and a head holder 9 that also serves as a carriage is attached to the guide shafts 6 and 7. The head holder 9 holds an inkjet head 30 that performs printing by ejecting ink onto the printing paper P. The ink-jet head 30 includes a nozzle body provided with a plurality of nozzles, a head main body in which an ink flow path communicating with each nozzle is formed, and an actuator that applies energy for ejection to ink in the ink flow path.

  On the nozzle surface of the head body, a black ink nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles for discharging black ink droplets are arranged, a yellow ink nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles for discharging yellow ink droplets are arranged, and a cyan ink droplet A cyan ink nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink is arranged and a magenta ink nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting magenta ink droplets are arranged are formed. This ink surface faces the printing surface of the printing paper P fed into the ink jet recording apparatus via a predetermined gap. In addition, an actuator is provided for each individual ink flow path communicating with each nozzle. In this embodiment, a piezoelectric actuator using a piezoelectric element is used as the actuator, and the actuator is disposed so as to constitute a part of the wall surface of the ink flow path.

The head holder 9 is attached to an endless belt 11 that is rotated by a carriage motor 10, and reciprocates in the main scanning direction along the guide shafts 6 and 7 by driving the carriage motor 10.
The inkjet recording apparatus 1 also includes an ink tank 5a containing yellow ink, an ink tank 5b containing magenta ink, an ink tank 5c containing cyan ink, and an ink tank containing black ink. 5d. In the present embodiment, the ink tank 5d for black ink is larger in size than other ink tanks in consideration of the amount of ink used. Each of the ink tanks 5a to 5d is connected to the tube joint 20 by flexible tubes 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d, respectively. The ink stored in each ink tank is supplied to the corresponding ink flow path via the tube joint 20.

  Further, at the left end in the movement direction of the head holder 9, there is provided an absorbing member 4 that absorbs defective ink ejected from the nozzles during flushing. A purge device 2 is provided at the right end in the moving direction of the head holder 9 to suck the defective ink inside the inkjet head 30 from the nozzles during purging. A wiper 3 for wiping off ink adhering to the ink is provided.

[Main configuration of control system]
Next, the main configuration of the control system of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
The ink jet recording apparatus 1 includes a CPU 57 and a gate array 60. The CPU 57 executes main control necessary for printing such as a printing operation command to the drive circuit 80, printing control described later, output of maintenance commands such as flushing and purging. The gate array 60 receives the print data transmitted from the host computer 71 via the interface (I / F) 41 and performs control for developing the print data. A ROM 43 and a RAM 44 are connected to the CPU 57 and the gate array 60 via an address bus and a data bus.

The ROM 43 includes a storage area 43 a in which a drive pulse waveform that is a source of a drive signal for the drive circuit 80 to drive the piezoelectric actuator 32 is stored. In this embodiment, the storage area 43a has a drive pulse waveform N used when the environmental temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature (for example, 25 ° C.) and a drive pulse waveform used when the environmental temperature is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature. M is stored.
Further, in a storage area other than the storage area 43a, a computer program for the CPU 57 to execute print control described later is stored. The RAM 44 temporarily stores print data received by the gate array 60 from the host computer 71, processing results of the CPU 57, and the like.

  In addition, the CPU 57 includes a medium sensor 58 that detects whether or not the printing paper P is loaded, an origin sensor 46 that detects that the inkjet head 30 is at the home position, and an environment in which the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is placed. A temperature sensor 59 for measuring temperature, a motor driver 48 for driving the carriage motor 10, a motor driver 49 for driving a paper feed motor (LF motor) 50, an operation panel 56 for supplying various signals to the CPU 57, etc. are connected. Has been.

An image memory 51 that temporarily stores print data received from the host computer 71 as image data is connected to the gate array 60.
Further, the gate array 60 has print data (hereinafter referred to as drive signal M selection print data) for executing printing by a drive signal M created based on the drive pulse waveform M, or a drive pulse waveform N. Data generation means 63 for generating print data (hereinafter referred to as drive signal N selection print data) for executing printing by the drive signal N created based on the drive signal N is provided.
The drive signal M is a drive signal used when the environmental temperature is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature, and the drive signal N is a drive signal used when the environmental temperature exceeds the predetermined temperature. In this embodiment, the drive signal M selection print data is composed of 2 bits of “01”, and the drive signal N selection print data is composed of 2 bits of “10”. “00” is data indicating non-printing (no dots) (hereinafter referred to as non-printing data).

(Main configuration of drive circuit)
Next, the main configuration of the drive circuit 80 will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the inkjet head 30 has a total of 64 channels, ch0 to ch63.
The drive circuit 80 includes a serial / parallel conversion circuit 81, a latch circuit 82, a selector 83 disposed for each channel, and a driver 84 disposed for each channel. The serial / parallel conversion circuit 81 is composed of a 64-bit shift register, and receives print data 52 serially transferred in synchronization with the transfer clock 53 from the gate array 60 (FIG. 2). The print data is converted into parallel data according to the rising edge, thereby performing serial / parallel conversion of the print data.

Then, selection signals sel-0 and sel-1 corresponding to the print data 52 generated by the data generation means 63 are set for each channel.
The latch circuit 82 latches each parallel data output from the serial / parallel conversion circuit 81 in accordance with the rising edge of the latch signal 54 transferred from the gate array 60. The 64 selectors 83 provided for each channel respectively have a plurality of types of drive signals (clocks) M or drive signals transferred from the gate array 60 based on the parallel print data output from the latch circuit 82. Select N and output.

The drive signals M and N input from the gate array 60 to the selector 83 are respectively created based on the drive pulse waveforms stored in the storage area 43a of the ROM 43, and are repeatedly output at a constant cycle. It is also an injection timing signal. One of the drive signals is selected according to the input of the print data sel-0 and sel-1 to the selector 83. In this embodiment, when the print data sel-0 and sel-1 are 0 and 0, non-printing (no dot) is selected, 0 and 1 are the drive signal M, and 1 and 0 are the drive signal N. In this way, the drive signal M or the drive signal N can be selected in units of nozzles by simply adding 2 bits to each print data.
Each of the 64 drivers 84 generates a voltage pulse waveform suitable for the inkjet head 30 based on the drive signal output from the selector 83, and each pulse waveform is connected to each piezoelectric actuator 32 of the inkjet head 30. Output to the other electrode.

(Configuration of drive signal)
Next, the configuration of the drive signals M and N will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the drive signals M and N. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the flying state of ink droplets. 5A is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the flying state of ink droplets ejected by the drive signal N, and FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the flying state of ink droplets ejected by the drive signal M. FIG. FIG.
The drive signal M cancels the three printing pulses A1 to A3 for ejecting three ink droplets for the printing data for one dot and the residual pressure fluctuation generated in the ink flow path after the ink droplet ejection. The two cancel pulses C1 and C3.
When the pulses of the drive signal M are described in time series, the first print pulse A2 for discharging the first ink droplet, the second print pulse A2 for discharging the second ink droplet, the second shot. The first cancel pulse C1 for canceling the residual pressure fluctuation in the ink flow path after the ink droplet ejection of the third ink, the third print pulse A3 for ejecting the third ink droplet, and after the third ink droplet ejection The second cancel pulse C3 is used to cancel the residual pressure fluctuation in the ink flow path.

The pulse length of the first print pulse A1 is set to be longer than the pulse length of the second print pulse A2, and the volume of the ink droplet ejected at the second time is larger than the volume of the ink droplet ejected at the first time. Is set to be smaller.
Also, before the first ink droplet ejected earlier reaches the print medium, the second ink droplet ejected later catches up with the first ink droplet, and the first ink droplet. In order to combine the second ink droplets, no cancel pulse is provided between the first print pulse A1 and the second print pulse A2.
A pulse length (ON time) tp1 of the first print pulse A1 for discharging the first ink droplet, a pulse length tp3 of the second print pulse A2 for discharging the second ink droplet, and the first The waiting time tw1 from when the print pulse A1 is turned off until the second print pulse A2 is turned on is the first ink droplet ejected by applying the first print pulse A1 to land on the print medium. Prior to this, a value is set such that the second ink droplet ejected by application of the second print pulse A2 catches up with the first ink droplet and can be merged with the first ink droplet. In this case, the times tw1 and tp3 are determined in consideration of the influence of the pressure fluctuation remaining after the first ink droplet is ejected.
The total volume of the three ink droplets from the first to the third is set to be smaller than the total volume of the three ink droplets ejected by the drive signal N.

For example, when the time required for the pressure wave generated in the ink flow path to propagate in one way in the ink flow path is T, the pulse length tp1 of the first print pulse A1 is 6.0T, and the second print pulse The pulse length tp3 of A2 is set to 3.7T, and the standby time tw1 is set to 4.9T.
The waiting time tw3 from when the second print pulse A2 is turned off until the first cancel pulse C1 is turned on, the pulse length tp4 of the first cancel pulse C1, and the third print pulse A3 after the third print pulse A3 is turned off. 2 The waiting time tw5 until the cancel pulse C3 is turned ON and the pulse length tp6 of the second cancel pulse C3 are set to values that reduce the amount of blurring of the printed image in the sub-scanning direction (Y direction). . A specific setting range will be described later.

As shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 5B, the first ink droplet Q1 is ejected from the nozzle 31 toward the printing paper P by the application of the first printing pulse A1. Subsequently, as shown in the middle diagram of FIG. 5B, the second ink droplet Q2 is ejected from the nozzle 31 toward the printing paper P by the application of the second printing pulse A2. The second ink droplet Q2 is ejected from the nozzle 31 before the first ink droplet Q1 lands on the printing paper P.
5B, the second ink droplet Q2 merges with the first ink droplet Q1 in the air between the nozzle 31 and the printing paper P, and a new ink is formed by the merge. Drop Q12 is born. The ink droplet Q12 has a volume obtained by adding both volumes of the ink droplets Q1 and Q2. Subsequently, before the ink droplet Q12 lands on the printing paper P, the third ink droplet Q3 is ejected from the nozzle 31 and lands on the printing paper P in the order of the ink droplet Q12 and the ink droplet Q3. On the printing paper P, a large dot E1 is formed by the landing of the ink droplet Q12, and a small dot E2 is formed by the landing of the ink droplet Q3.
Since the inkjet head 30 ejects ink droplets while moving in the main scanning direction with respect to the printing paper P, the landing position of the ink droplet Q3 is shifted in the moving direction of the inkjet head 30 from the landing position of the ink droplet Q12. . For this reason, the center of the dot E2 is shifted from the center of the dot E1 in the moving direction of the inkjet head 30, so that a dot that is slightly wider in the main scanning direction than the case where the centers of the dots coincide is formed. However, since the volume of the ink droplet Q12 is larger than that of the ink droplet Q1 and the ink droplet Q2 constituting the ink droplet Q12, deceleration due to air resistance during flight is small. Accordingly, the positional deviation amount with respect to the ink droplet Q3 that lands after this is smaller than that when landing individually. With these dots E1 and E2, one dot corresponding to one dot of print data is printed. Further, since dots are overprinted, the print density of the dots does not decrease.

The drive signal N is composed of three print pulses A1 to A3 for discharging three ink droplets for one dot of print data, and three cancel pulses C1 to C3. Pulses are alternately arranged.
The pulse length of the first print pulse A1 of the drive signal M is tp1, and the residual pressure generated in the ink flow path by the application of the first print pulse A1 after the tw1 time has elapsed since the first print pulse A1 turned off. A first cancel pulse C1 for canceling the fluctuation is applied for tp2 hours. The second print pulse A2 is applied for tp3 hours after elapse of tw2 hours after the first cancel pulse C1 is turned off, and the second print pulse A2 is applied after elapse of tw3 hours after the second print pulse A2 is turned off. A second cancel pulse C2 for canceling the residual pressure fluctuation generated in the ink flow path is applied for tp4 hours. The third print pulse A3 is applied for tp5 hours after tw4 hours have elapsed since the second cancel pulse C2 was turned off, and the third print pulse A3 is applied after tw5 hours have elapsed since the third print pulse A3 was turned off. A third cancel pulse C3 for canceling the residual pressure fluctuation generated in the ink flow path is applied for tp6 hours.

For example, the drive signal N of tp1 = 5.5T, tw1 = 9.0T, tp2 = 8.5T, tw2 = 23.9T, tp3 = 5.5T, tw3 = 9.0T, tp4 = 8.5T, tw4 = 23.9T, tp5 = 5.5T, tw5 = 9.0T, tp6 = 8.5T.
As shown in FIG. 5A, the first ink droplet P1 ejected from the nozzle 31 by the first printing pulse A1, the second ink droplet P2 ejected from the nozzle 31 by the second printing pulse A2, and The third ink droplet P3 ejected from the nozzle 31 by the third printing pulse A3 individually lands on the printing paper P in the ejection order, and dots D1 to D3 are formed by the ink droplets P1 to P3. As described above, since the inkjet head 30 ejects ink droplets while moving in the main scanning direction with respect to the printing paper P, the center of the dot D2 is slightly shifted in the moving direction of the inkjet head 30, and the dot D3 Is slightly shifted in the moving direction of the inkjet head 30. With these dots D1 to D3, one dot corresponding to one dot of print data is printed. Further, since dots are overprinted, the print density of the dots does not decrease.
Note that tw1 to tw5 and tp1 to tp6 differ depending on the waveform type set in the waveform selection table.

[Print control flow]
Next, the flow of printing control by the control system shown in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of printing control. In addition, the process for performing selection of the drive pulse waveform for each drive signal corresponding to each step of the environmental temperature and selection of the voltage is omitted.
The temperature sensor 59 (FIG. 2) outputs a signal corresponding to the environmental temperature to the CPU 57, and the CPU 57 calculates the environmental temperature based on the signal fetched from the temperature sensor 59 and stores the calculated environmental temperature in the RAM 44. To do.

The gate array 60 (FIG. 2) reads print data transmitted from the host computer 71 and stored in the image memory 51 (step (hereinafter abbreviated as S) 1), and print data to be printed with dots, that is, the dots It is determined whether or not there is (S2). Here, when it is determined that the dot is present (S2: Yes), the environmental temperature stored in the RAM 44 is referred to and is higher or lower than a preset reference temperature (for example, 25 ° C.). Is determined (S3). If it is determined that the environmental temperature is equal to or lower than the reference temperature (S3: low), the data generation unit 63 generates the drive signal M selection print data “01” (S4). The drive signal M selection print data “01” is output to the serial / parallel conversion circuit 81, and the selection signals sel-0 and sel-1 are set for each channel. Each selector 83 has a latch circuit 82, respectively. The drive signal M transferred from the gate array 60 is selected on the basis of each parallel print data output from, and is output to the driver 84. Each channel to which the drive signal M is output from the driver 84 ejects ink droplets corresponding to the drive signal M, and prints dots on the printing paper P (FIG. 5B).
That is, when the environmental temperature is equal to or lower than the reference temperature, a total of three ink droplets, in which the second ink droplets merge with the first ink droplets, are continuously ejected, thereby corresponding to the print data for one dot. One dot is printed.

When it is determined that the environmental temperature is higher than the reference temperature (S3: high), the data generation unit 63 generates the drive signal N selection print data “10” (S5). The drive signal N selection print data “10” is output to the serial / parallel conversion circuit 81, and the selection signals sel-1 and sel-0 are set for each channel. Each selector 83 is supplied from the latch circuit 82, respectively. Based on the output parallel print data, the drive signal N transferred from the gate array 60 is selected and output to the driver 84. Each channel to which the drive signal N is output from the driver 84 ejects ink droplets corresponding to the drive signal and prints dots on the printing paper P.
In other words, when the environmental temperature is higher than the reference temperature, one dot is printed for one dot of print data by continuously ejecting a total of three ink drops that do not coalesce in the air. To do.

  If it is determined that there is no dot (S2: No), non-print data “00” for instructing non-print is generated (S6). Then, it is determined whether or not the printing is completed based on whether or not the data for instructing the printing end is transmitted from the host computer 71 (S7). When S1 to S6 are executed and it is determined that the printing is finished (S7: Yes), the current printing control is finished.

[Experiment]
Next, an experiment conducted by the present inventor will be described with reference to FIG. 6, FIG. 8, Table 1 and Table 2. FIG. 6 is a graph showing the print growth of the black cell when the two-dimensional code is printed by the drive signals M and N, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing an enlarged part of the two-dimensional code. . Tables 1 and 2 summarize the experimental results.
As shown in FIG. 8, the two-dimensional code is configured by arranging square black cells G and white cells W in a matrix. Here, “Print Growth” means the growth size (the size of bleeding) of the end of the black cell G when the two-dimensional code is printed. In FIG. (J−H) / H where H is the height and J is the height of the ink that has grown (exuded) in the sub-scanning direction (Y direction) from the end of the black cell G in the sub-scanning direction. Calculated as Print Growth in the sub-scanning direction. That is, the smaller the value of Print Growth, the less ink bleeding in the sub-scanning direction at the end of the black cell G.

The inventor of the present application measures the print growth in the sub-scanning direction of the black cell when the two-dimensional code is printed by the driving signal M or the driving signal N for each of the environmental temperature of 20 ° C. and 25 ° C. did. In addition, the measurement was performed on a plurality of inkjet heads having relatively uniform discharge characteristics, and the average value was obtained to produce the graph shown in FIG. Further, the total volume of the three ink droplets ejected for printing for one dot was set so that the volume in the case of the drive signal M was 80% of the volume in the case of the drive signal N. .
As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the Print Growth when the two-dimensional code was printed by the drive signal M was 0.127 regardless of whether the environmental temperature was 25 ° C. or 20 ° C. On the other hand, when the two-dimensional code is printed by the drive signal N, the Print Growth is 0.132 when the environmental temperature is 25 ° C. and 0.139 when the environmental temperature is 20 ° C. .
In other words, the Print Growth when the two-dimensional code is printed by the drive signal M is larger than the Print Growth when the two-dimensional code is printed by the drive signal N regardless of whether the environmental temperature is 25 ° C. or 20 ° C. It was small. Although not shown, when the ambient temperature is as low as 20 ° C. to 10 ° C., the Print Growth when the two-dimensional code is printed by the drive signal M is 0.15 or less, and the drive signal N It was smaller than Print Growth when printed by, and stable print quality could be obtained. When the drive signal N is used, Print Growth is 0.15 or more, and printing blur is recognized.

Further, the inventor of the present application conducted an experiment on the form of the drive signal M that can improve the print quality at 25 ° C. A pause time A (= tw3) provided between the second print pulse A2 and the first cancel pulse C1 of the drive signal M, the pulse length B (= tp4) of the first cancel pulse C1, the third print pulse A3 and the second The print disturbance when the pause time C (= tw5) provided between the cancel pulses C3 and the pulse length D (= tp6) of the second cancel pulse C3 were changed was visually evaluated. This experiment was performed by printing a print pattern in which ejection / non-ejection were interwoven on glossy paper.
As a result, the following results in Table 1 and Table 2 were obtained. In Tables 1 and 2, ◎ indicates that the print quality such as resolution and print density is very stable, ○ indicates that it is stable, △ indicates that it is slightly unstable, and × indicates that it is slightly unstable. Each indicates instability.

Reading the numerical values marked with ◎ in Table 1 and Table 2, the pause time A in the drive signal M is 2.4T, the pulse length B is 0.5T, the pause time C is 2.3T, and the pulse length D is 0. It can be seen that the print quality is very stable when it is 4T. Here, the same result is obtained when the pause time A is equal to the pause time B, for example, both are 2.35T.
Also, the pause time A is 2.3T to 2.5T, the pulse length B is 0.4T to 0.5T, the pause time C is 2.2T to 2.5T, and the pulse length D is 0.3T to 0.5T. In some cases, it can be seen that the print quality is stable.
That is, by setting the above A to D constituting the drive signal M within the range of numerical values marked with ◎ or ○ in Tables 1 and 2, Print Growth is 0.127 or less and high quality Printing can be performed.
Further, for a total of three ink droplets ejected for printing for one dot, the total volume based on the drive signal M is set to be 80% to 90% of the total volume based on the drive signal N. The print growth was 0.127 or less and high quality printing could be performed.

[Effect of the embodiment]
(1) As described above, when the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of the above embodiment is used, the environmental temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature when the environmental temperature where the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is placed is 25 ° C. or less. In some cases, ink droplets smaller than the total volume of ink droplets ejected for printing one dot can be ejected onto the printing paper P. In addition, since the number of ink droplets is the same as that when the environmental temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature, high-quality printing can be performed with a small amount of dot bleeding and a small change from the intended printing density.

(2) Further, by driving the piezoelectric actuator 32 by the drive signal M, the flight speed is higher in the second shot than in the first shot. Therefore, the first ink droplet Q1 and the second ink droplet Q2 are combined in the air between the nozzle 31 and the printing paper P and then landed on the printing paper P. Furthermore, one ink droplet Q12 newly generated by the coalescence is faster in the air than the first ink droplet Q1, and the flying speed is less likely to decrease due to air resistance. The deviation of the landing position with the droplet Q3 is also reduced. That is, printing can be performed with high printing quality.

(3) Further, the drive signal M includes a first printing pulse A1 for ejecting the first ink droplet Q1 from the nozzle 31 and a second printing for ejecting the second ink droplet Q2 from the nozzle 31. Since no cancel pulse is provided with the pulse A2, the second ink droplet Q2 can be ejected immediately after the first ink droplet Q1 is ejected. Thereby, before the first ink droplet Q1 lands on the printing paper P, the second ink droplet Q2 can be caught up with the first ink droplet Q1 and combined.
Further, power can be saved by the amount that the cancel pulse is not applied after the first ink droplet Q1 is ejected.

(4) A pause time A provided between the second print pulse A2 and the first cancel pulse C1 in the drive signal M, a pulse length B of the first cancel pulse C1, and between the third print pulse A3 and the second cancel pulse C3. By setting each value of the provided pause time C and the pulse length D of the second cancel pulse C3 within a numerical range corresponding to ◎ or ○ in Tables 1 and 2, the sub-scanning direction (Y direction) of the black cell G ) Can be reduced, and high-quality printing can be performed.

(5) When the environmental temperature is 25 ° C. or lower, the total volume of ink droplets discharged by the drive signal M for printing one dot is discharged when the environmental temperature is higher than 25 ° C. By setting to about 80% to 90% of the total volume of ink droplets to be printed, it is possible to reduce the amount of blurring of the printed black cells G in the sub-scanning direction and to suppress a decrease in print density. Can do.

<Other embodiments>
(1) As described in the setting of the drive signal, the waveform selection table in which the environmental temperature is set in a plurality of steps and the waveforms of the drive signal M and the drive signal N are set for each step is stored in the storage area 43a of the ROM 43. The drive pulse waveforms of the drive signal M and the drive signal N are selected corresponding to each step of the environmental temperature, and the drive signal M and the drive signal N are created based on the selected drive pulse waveforms. Accordingly, the piezoelectric actuator 32 can also be driven. According to this, even higher quality printing can be performed in response to a small change in environmental temperature.
(2) The drive signal M and the drive signal N may be signals in which the number of ink droplets ejected to form one dot is four or more.

(3) The present invention can also be applied to printing barcodes other than two-dimensional codes or printing images other than barcodes.
(4) The present invention can be applied not only to a piezoelectric actuator using an electromechanical conversion element such as a piezoelectric element but also to an ink jet recording apparatus using an actuator using an electrothermal conversion element as a drive source. The present invention can also be applied to an ink jet recording apparatus having an ink cartridge on an ink jet head, or an ink jet recording apparatus having a scanner function or a copy function.

[Correspondence between each claim and embodiment]
The piezoelectric actuator 32 corresponds to the actuator of claim 1, and the printing paper P corresponds to the printing medium.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an explanatory plan view showing a main configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a main configuration of a control system of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 in blocks. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the main configuration of a drive circuit 80 in blocks. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the drive signals M and N. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the flying state of ink droplets. 5A is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the flying state of ink droplets ejected by the drive signal N, and FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the flying state of ink droplets ejected by the drive signal M. FIG. FIG. It is a graph which shows Print Growth of a black cell at the time of printing a two-dimensional code with drive signals M and N. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of printing control. It is explanatory drawing which expands and schematically shows a part of two-dimensional code.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inkjet recording device 30 Inkjet head 32 Piezoelectric actuator (actuator)
59 Temperature sensor 60 Gate array 80 Drive circuit P Printing paper (medium to be printed)

Claims (6)

An ink flow path, a nozzle communicating with the ink flow path, an actuator for supplying energy to the ink in the ink flow path, and a drive circuit for outputting a drive signal for driving the actuator In the ink jet recording apparatus for discharging the ink in the ink flow path from the nozzle to the print medium by outputting the drive signal to the actuator,
When the ambient temperature in which the ink jet recording apparatus is placed is higher than a predetermined temperature, at least three ink droplets are sequentially ejected from the same nozzle in order to print one dot on the printing medium. Landed on the medium to be printed in the order of ejection,
When the environmental temperature is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature, the same number of inks with a volume smaller than the total number of ink droplets ejected for printing one dot when the environmental temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature An ink jet recording apparatus which discharges droplets onto the print medium.   When the environmental temperature is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature, the first and second ink droplets are combined in the air between the nozzle and the print medium and then landed on the print medium. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1. The drive signal for sequentially ejecting at least three ink droplets from the nozzle is:
When the environmental temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature, a printing pulse for ejecting ink droplets from the nozzle and a cancel pulse for canceling pressure fluctuations remaining in the ink flow path after ink droplet ejection are alternated. Has
When the environmental temperature is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature, the interval between a printing pulse for ejecting the first ink droplet from the nozzle and a printing pulse for ejecting the second ink droplet from the nozzle. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cancel pulse is not provided. The drive signal when the environmental temperature is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature is
A first printing pulse for ejecting the first ink droplet from the nozzle, a second printing pulse for ejecting the second ink droplet from the nozzle, and after the second ink droplet ejection, A first cancel pulse for canceling pressure fluctuations remaining in the ink flow path, a third print pulse for discharging the third ink droplet from the nozzle, and after the third ink droplet discharge, A second cancel pulse for canceling the pressure fluctuation remaining in the ink flow path,
The pause time provided between the second print pulse and the first cancel pulse is A, the pulse length of the first cancel pulse is B, the third print pulse and the second cancel pulse The pause time provided between them is C, the pulse length of the second cancel pulse is D, and the time required for the pressure wave generated in the ink flow path to propagate in one way in the ink flow path A, B, C and D are set to a numerical range corresponding to ◎ or ○ in the following Table 1 and Table 2 in which T is a unit when T is assumed. Item 4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to Item 3.

  The total volume of the ink droplets ejected when the environmental temperature is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature is about 80% to about the total volume of the ink droplets ejected when the environmental temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ratio is 90%.   6. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a bar code is printed on the medium to be printed.

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